A look back at Brandon Roy's Trail Blazers career (photo essay)

December 10, 2011 12:07 AM

It wasn't supposed to end like this, with his Trail Blazers teammates opening practice and Brandon Roy five miles away in a half-moved in home.
While the Trail Blazers opened their 2011-2012 season on Friday, one of the most popular players in franchise history ended his in stunning fashion. Roy informed the team he intended to retire after a Thursday exam with team orthopedist Dr. Don Roberts revealed the extent of damage to Roy's degenerative knees.
Roy is 27, the age when basketball players enter their prime, but in November of last year Roy revealed that four knee surgeries dating back to his high school career left him with no meniscus in either knee. Every time he jumped and cut, his knees were absorbing bone-on-bone friction. -- Jason Quick

(50 total photos)

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1 of 50Link to this photo | Comments about this photo essayThe Portland Trail Blazers introduced their new draft picks at Pennisula School in North Portland Friday. Joe Freeland high fives with kids from the school while LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy, L-R, in background, join in. Steven Nehl/The Oregonian

3 of 50Link to this photo | Comments about this photo essayTrail Blazers Brandon Roy, with his girlfriend Tiana Bardwell, left, his one-month-old son Brandon Roy Jr., and Roy's mother, Gina Roy, right, pose for photos during a celebration of Roy's being Rookie of the Year. Photo by Olivia Bucks/The Oregonian

6 of 50Link to this photo | Comments about this photo essayPortland Trail Blazers play the New Orleans Hornets at the Rose Garden. Brandon Roy gives a t-shirt to Fred Tulp during the team introductions before the game. Stephanie Yao/The Oregonian

18 of 50Link to this photo | Comments about this photo essayBrandon Roy bows to the crowd as he looks back at Greg Oden on the stage. As the crowd chanted MVP, Roy bowed replicating Oden's bow at the rally that welcomed him following the draft. The Portland Trail Blazers hold a rally at Pioneer Courthouse Square as they head to the playoffs for the first time in years. They will host the Houston Rockets at the Rose Garden starting Saturday evening. Bruce Ely/The Oregonian

20 of 50Link to this photo | Comments about this photo essayPortland Trail Blazer vs the Houston Rockets for the NBA season opener at the Rose Garden. Brandon Roy shoots over the Houston Rocket defense late in the fourth quarter. Photo by Doug Beghtel/ The Oregonian

27 of 50Link to this photo | Comments about this photo essayThe Portland Trail Blazers Brandon Roy waits for the team to be introduced before the Phoenix Suns game, April 24, 2010, in Game 4 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs, at the Rose Garden in Portland, Ore. Thomas Boyd/The Oregonian

28 of 50Link to this photo | Comments about this photo essayThe crowd reacts to Brandon Roy's first basket against the Phoenix Suns, April 24, 2010, in Game 4 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs, at the Rose Garden in Portland, Ore. Jamie Francis/The Oregonian

29 of 50Link to this photo | Comments about this photo essayThe Portland Trail Blazers' Brandon Roy signs autographs after his shoot-around before the game against the Phoenix Suns, April 29, 2010, in Game 6 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs, at the Rose Garden in Portland, Ore. Thomas Boyd/The Oregonian

30 of 50Link to this photo | Comments about this photo essayPortland, OR - 10/1/2010 - Brandon Roy poses for promotional videos as Portland Trail Blazers spend the day at the Rose Garden having pictures taken during their annual media day. Bruce Ely / The Oregonian

31 of 50Link to this photo | Comments about this photo essaySeattle, WA - 10/2/2010 - The hallway leading into the locker room is decorated with quotes and a portrait of Brandon Roy. The Portland Trail Blazers hold a scrimmage at the former school of Brandon Roy, Garfield High School in Seattle, Washington. Bruce Ely / The Oregonian

32 of 50Link to this photo | Comments about this photo essaySeattle, WA - 10/2/2010 - Brandon Roy and president Larry Miller present a check to Garfield HS as the portland Trail Blazers hold a scrimmage at the former school of Brandon Roy in Seattle, Washington. Bruce Ely / The Oregonian

34 of 50Link to this photo | Comments about this photo essayPortland, OR - 10/26/2010 - Brandon Roy attempts a layup while being guarded by Jared Dudley as the Portland Trail Blazers face the Phoenix Suns in the opening night of the team's season. Bruce Ely / The Oregonian

35 of 50Link to this photo | Comments about this photo essayPortland, OR - 11/6/2010 - Brandon Roy reacts to a foul called him with Armon Johnson trying to comfort him as the Portland Trail Blazers face the Toronto Raptors at the Rose Garden Bruce Ely / The Oregonian

36 of 50Link to this photo | Comments about this photo essayPortland, OR - 11/9/2010 - Brandon Roy drives the ball around Austin Daye while being guarded by Rodney Stuckey as the Portland Trail Blazers face the Detroit Pistons at the Rose Garden. Bruce Ely / The Oregonian

38 of 50Link to this photo | Comments about this photo essayPortland, OR - 11/18/2010 - (7) Brandon Roy spent the second half of the game on the bench watching as his teammates, the Portland Trail Blazers, face the Denver Nuggets at the Rose Garden Bruce Ely / The Oregonian

39 of 50Link to this photo | Comments about this photo essayPORTLAND, OREGON - January 17, 2011 - Portland Trail Blazer guard Brandon Roy relaxes at his home with his children following a surgery on his knees. After sleeping off the medication during the afternoon, Roy flipped between the Blazers game and a feed of his high school team. Bruce Ely / The Oregonian

41 of 50Link to this photo | Comments about this photo essayPortland, OR -- 03/15/11. Brandon Roy (7) reacts after hitting the 104th point of the game as the Portland Trail Blazers face the Dallas Mavericks at the Rose Garden. Bruce Ely / The Oregonian

44 of 50Link to this photo | Comments about this photo essayPortland, OR -- 03/22/11. Brandon Roy (7) attempts a shot while being guarded by Jordan Crawford (15) as the Portland Trail Blazers face the Washington Wizards at the Rose Garden. Bruce Ely / The Oregonian

45 of 50Link to this photo | Comments about this photo essayPORTLAND, OREGON - March 25, 2011 - Brandon Roy (7) attempts a shot while being heavily guarded by Manu Ginobili (20) and Matt Bonner (15) as the Portland Trail Blazers face the San Antonio Spurs at the Rose Garden. Bruce Ely / The Oregonian

47 of 50Link to this photo | Comments about this photo essayPORTLAND, OREGON - April 21, 2011 - Brandon Roy (7), who has battled critics and skepticism for months, shoots 6 of 8 (16 points) from the field and tallies 4 assists. He raises his hand to his ear as if to say "What do you have to say about me? Let me hear you say it now." The Portland Trail Blazers take on the Dallas Mavericks at the Rose Garden in Portland, Ore., Thurs., Apr. 21, 2011. Bruce Ely/The Oregonian

48 of 50Link to this photo | Comments about this photo essayPORTLAND, OREGON - April 23, 2011 - Marcus Camby (23) embraces Brandon Roy (7) after he leads his team to a comeback 84 - 82 victory over the Dallas Mavericks Saturday, April 23, 2011, at the Rose Garden in Portland, Ore. Bruce Ely/The Oregonian

49 of 50Link to this photo | Comments about this photo essayPORTLAND, OREGON - December 9, 2011 - Brandon Roy plays with his children Brandon Jr. and Mariah at his home on the day he was forced to retire from the Portland Trail Blazers. The long-term consequence of continuing to play with his meniscus-less knees was too much. Photo by Bruce Ely / The Oregonian